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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!prls!amdimage!amdcad!cae780!gordon
From: gordon@cae780.UUCP (Brian Gordon)
Newsgroups: net.consumers,net.flame,net.misc
Subject: Re: Coupons and Rebates-- Flame
Message-ID: <1314@cae780.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 9-Sep-85 17:47:18 EDT
Article-I.D.: cae780.1314
Posted: Mon Sep  9 17:47:18 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 14-Sep-85 01:06:05 EDT
References: <243@mot.UUCP>
Reply-To: gordon@cae780.UUCP (Brian Gordon)
Organization: Tektronix, Inc. (CAE Systems Division), Sunnyvale, CA
Lines: 39
Xref: linus net.consumers:2426 net.flame:10978 net.misc:7205

In article <243@mot.UUCP> al@mot.UUCP (Al Filipski) writes:
>
>Can anyone explain to me the marketing purpose behind coupons and
>rebates? Why do manufacturers want people to do the idiot-level
>work of cutting out and organizing coupons, or, worse yet, filling
>out rebate applications and sending them in in return for little
>checks in the mail?  WHY DON'T THEY JUST LOWER THE %&##@! PRICES?
>How stupid and idle do they think people are?  How much time is spent
>in this country in the utterly non-productive non-creative activities 
>of clipping, handling, processing, mailing, etc. these stupid pieces of paper?

I realize that this (my) posting is in poor taste -- trying to answer a 
question from net.flame, but what the hey, it's Monday.

The vast majority of people don't clip/save/use coupons.  Thus, the company
isn't out much for redeeming them.  They do get publicity/recognition for
providing them, however.  When you see that the makers of product XYZ are so
nice that they are willing to give you money, that registers "points" for
them, even if subconsciously, while your conscious mind knows that you will
never cash in on their generosity.

The few who do use coupons often get noticed -- two weeks worth of groceries
for $2.37, and the like.  More good press, damn little cost ...

Lowering the price 0.000372%, or whatever the equivalent amount is, doesn't
get noticed, let alone make them their "points".

FROM:   Brian G. Gordon, CAE Systems Division of Tektronix, Inc.
UUCP:   tektronix!teklds!cae780!gordon
	{ihnp4, decvax!decwrl}!amdcad!cae780!gordon 
        {nsc, hplabs, resonex, qubix, leadsv}!cae780!gordon 
*UNTIL THE MOVE*
 USNAIL: 1333 Bordeaux Drive, Sunnyvale, CA  94089
 AT&T:   (408)745-1440
*AFTER THE MOVE*
 USNAIL: 5302 Betsy Ross Drive, Santa Clara, CA  95054
 AT&T:   (408)727-1234

 Down 56 1/2 pounds, and counting ...